Dry feed product and method



United States Re. 25,337 Reissuecl Feb. 26, 1963 lice 25 337 DRY FEEDPRODiJCT AND METHOD OF MAKllNG SAME Willard Turner and Kenneth N.Wright, Decatur, Ill., assignors to A. E. Staley Manufacturing Company,Decatur, 111., a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Original No.2,912,331, dated Nov. 10, 1959, Scr. No. 632,658, Jan. 7, 1957.Application for reissue May 1, 1962, Ser. No. 193,058 17 Claims. (Cl.99--6) Matter enclosed in heavy brackets E 1 appears in the originalpatent but forms no part of this reissue specification; matter printedin italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

The present invention relates generally to a new and improved feedmaterial and method of making the same. This feed material utilizessoybean millfeed as a carrier, the millfeed being impregnated with asubstantial quantity of a feed ingredient of the type which issubstantially non-drying due to its very hydrophyllic and hygroscopicproperties, the impregnated soybean millfeed in its o'ried conditionbeing free flowing and adapted for use as a dried feed product forpoultry or livestock or as a dry mix in feed formulation.

Hydrophyllic and hygroscopic feed ingredients such as blackstrapmolasses, corn sugar molasses (hydrol), corn steep liquor, glutamatemother liquor (such as hydrolyzed corn protein) and choline chloride areextremely difficult if not impossible to dry for use in the formulationof feed products. Peed ingredients of this nature cannot be readilydried or ground due to their adherent properties. Efforts have been madeto provide suitable carriers for these feed ingredients to obtain astorable type of feed material which will not cake or form lumps. Inutilizing carriers it has been generally found that the carrierparticles are merely surface coated and extensive drying of the feedingredient coatings is necessary to prevent caking or lumping duringstorage or handling of the finished product. l-lydrophyllic andhygroscopic feed ingredients of the character described are not onlysubstantially non-drying but are heat sensitive in temperature rangescapable of removing adequate quantities of the Water content so as toeliminate the adherent or sticky properties. Consequently, with surfacecoating of carrier particles it is still necessary to at leastsubstantially dry the feed ingredient coating and the dimcultiesaccompanying drying material of this nature are still present and mustbe overcome in order to provide a free flowing feed product.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improvedfeed material utilizing soybean hull containing millteed as a carrier,the carrier particles being impregnated with a hydrophyllic andhygroscopic feed ingredient of the character described which, due to itsbeing substantially absorbed within the carrier, does not interfere withthe obtaining of a dried, free flowing feed material readily storablewithout caking and adapted for dry mixing with other feed materials.

A further object is to provide a new and improved feed material formedprimarily from soybean hulls impregnated with a hydrophyllic andhygroscopic feed ingredient of the character described, the dried feedmaterial being readily adapted for packaging, storing, handling andtransporting in any type of conveniently used means without caking orlumping, the material being further adapted for dry mixing with otherfeed materials and for dry feeding, if desired, the dry mixing of thefeed material with other feed ingredients being accomplished withoutincreasing the moisture content of the final feed product.

An additional object is to provide a process of forming the new andimproved feed material of the present invention, the process being of anuncomplicated and economical nature and adapting the finished productfor efficient drying under substantially non-critical drying conditionswithout requiring the use of elaborate or expensive drying equipment.

Other objects not specifically set forth will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description of the present invention.

The feed material of the present invention is prepared from soybeanmillfeed and substances or ingredients which are exceedinglyhydrophyllic {org and hygroscopic, such as blackstrap molasses, cornsugar molasses, corn steep liquor, glutamate mother liquor which forexample may be hydrolized corn protein, and choline chloride. Theforegoing are known feed ingredients and it should be understood thatother feed ingredients of a highly hydrophyllic and hygroscopic,substantially non-drying nature may also be used in forming the feedmaterial of the present invention. The soybean millfeed is a knownbyproduct resulting from the manufacture of soy flour or grits andformed essentially from soybean hulls, the outer covering of thesoybean, with or without soybean offal and tailings from the mill.Soybean meal maybe included for the purpose of increasing the proteincontent of the feed material. Any carrier containing a high level ofsoybean hulls may be used.

It has been found that soybean hulls constitute a highly desirablecarrier for hydrophyllic and hygroscopic feed ingredients of thecharacter described as the hulls are especially absorbent. In mixing afeed ingredient of this type with [wtihj soybean hulls, the ingredientis absorbed by each hull particle to an extent that the surface area ofthe hull particle remains substantially constant and is not increased byan external coating of the feed ingredient. In other words thehygroscopic feed ingredient penetrates into the millteed particles to anextent that subsequent drying of the product is readily attained. Due tothe extent of penetration or absorption accompanying the use of soy-beanhulls, aggregates of the hygroscopic ingredient cannot form. Moisturecan be readily evaporated from the surface area of the millfeedparticles during the drying operation. The resultant product is granularand ree flowing and may be packaged, stored, handled and transported inbags, fiber drums or any other suitable containers. The product can bereadily mixed in a dry state into feeds, fermentation media and thelike. Still further, certain forms of the product may be consumed assuch without further treatment or mixing by poultry and livestock asdried teed. It appears that soybean millteed is superior as a carrier tooat hulls, corn cobs, corn oil meal and other commonly used carriers,the superiority being manifested by the physical properties of thefinished dried feed product.

While the soybean hulls are particularly absorbent in connection withfeed ingredients of the type described, the penetration or impregnationof the feed ingredients can be increased or aided by first wetting ordampening the millfecd with water. Following the dampening of thesoybean millfeed, the hygroscopic .feed ingredient is mixed therewithand upon adequate stirring or agitation the ingredient impregnates eachparticle of milltecd to a substantial extent. Following impregnation ofthe millfeed carrier particle, a conventional uncomplicated form ofdrying operation is used to remove moisture from the product andtransform the same into dry, free flowing condition. With impregnationof the millfeed particles with the hygroscopic feed ingredient, thequantity of the latter carried by each particle is protected from humidatmosphere after drying and during storage. This is particularly truewhen highly hygroscopic ingredients of high solids content are used. Themillfeed particles can be penetrated and saturated with Ethel! suchhygroscopic ingredientsby stirring for a sufiicient length of time whichhas been found to be about 5 minutes or less.

To further aid the extent and rate of penetration of the feedingredient, heat may be applied to the mixture during impregnation ofthe carrier particles. Elevating the temperature of the productingredients may be accomplished in any suitable manner. For example, thewater used to wet or dampen the millfeed may be heated or external heatmay be applied to the mixture during the impregnation step. Extensivepenetration of the hygroscopic ingredient into the millfeed particle notonly aids in the subsequent drying of the product but further preventsthe formation of aggregates. As previously stated, withthe retention ofsubstantially the total initial surface area of the. carrier particlefollowing impregnation, moisture can be readily evaporated during thedrying operation.

In carrying out the process described above, it has been foundadvantageous in some instances to neutralize the highly hydrophyllic andhygroscopic feed ingredient prior toits admixture with the carrierduring the absorption or impregnation step. Partial or completeneutralization of the hygroscopic ingredient aids in the; reductionofthe hygroscopicity of the finished product. Calcium compounds aregenerally preferred neutralizing agents but other suitable neutralizingagents may be used. Calcium:-

compounds, such as calcium oxide and calcium hydroxide, are added insufficient quantities to the feed ingredient to establish neutralizationor near neutralizationbefore the feed ingredient is admixed the carrierparticles. The mill feed particles may be ground to thedesired particlesize prior to dampening or impregnation. The amount of water used to wetor dampen the millfeed will depend largely. on the moisture content ofthe hygroscopic feedingredient, the particle size of the'millfeed andthe temperature of the mixture during the impregnation operation. Thewetting or dampening time required for theadded water to penetrate themillfeed will normally be about 5 minutes or less accompanied bystirring.

The neutralized feed ingredient and dampened millfeed particles aremixed, together with or without an increase,

in temperature during the impregnation step of the process. The timerequired for'thehygroscopic ingredientto be absorbed by the wetmillfeed, as previously stated,

is about 5 minutes at room temperature and less than 5' minutes atelevated temperatures. The drying conditions" used will depend upon theheat stability of the product being dried. Molasses or vitamins, forexample; aregenerally heat labile or volatile at temperatures above 100C. However, for short periods of time, temperatures up 10160" C. may notbe significantly destructive. Thetemperature and time of dehydrationwill generally be determined for each product. As previously stated, anyconventional form of drying equipment may be utilized, it beingunnecessary to resort to complicated or expensive equipment due to themanner in which the heat sensitive feed ingredient is protected by thecarrier particles.

Thefollowing examples are illustrative of the mannerin which the productof the present invention is formed. These examples should not beconsidered as limiting to the scope of the present invention as setforth in the appended claims.

EXAMPLE I 14.3 lbs. of water were added to lbs. of soybean millfeedformed primarily from soybean hulls. The water-mill-feed mixture wasstirred for 5 minutes. 5 lbs. of calcium hydroxide were dissolved in 50gals. of a 1 to 1 mixture of blackstrap molasses and hydrol (the motherliquor obtained from acid treatment of starch in forming various relatedsugars). 27.6 lbs. of the limemolasses-hydrol mixture were addedto andstirred with the dampened millfeed for 5 minutes. The impregnatedmillfeed particles were then dried by conventional means.

4 The resultant product was free flowing and did not cake or lump duringextended storage of the same.

EXAMPLE II 10 lbs. of soybean millfeed were placed in a mixing kettle.32.5 lbs. of 30 B. corn steep liquor neutralized to a pH of 8.0 withabout 1.5 lbs. of calcium oxide were added and mixed thoroughly with themillfeed particles for 5 minutes. The impregnated particles werethendried ,by conventional means to form a free flowing product readilyadapted for dry mixing.

EXAMPLE III To 10 lbs. of soybean millfeed were added 4.73 lbs. of a 70%aqueous solution of choline chloride. The mixture. was, stirredthoroughly for 5 minutes. Upon drying in a conventional manner theresultant impreg nated millfeed particles were non-caking andfree-flowing.

EXAMPLE IV From about 1 to 1.5 parts by weight of water were added to35.9 lbs. of soybean millfeed. To this hullwater mixture 86.2 lbs. offeeding cane molasses were added at a temperature of F. The total mixingtime including the addition of water and molasses was 12 minutes. Theimpregnated particles were dried and formed a free flowing product ofthe type previously described.

Comparative testing of soybean millfeed, wheat bran,

reground oat millfeed, linseed oil meal, sugar beet pulp and alfalfameal ascarriers for the dried molasses product The following procedurewas has been carried out. followed and comparative results are listedtherebelow.

100 grams of the carrier was dampened with 30 ml. of water with stirringfor 2 minutes. 220 grams of a 1 tol mixture of hydrol and blackstrapmolasses were then mixed into the dampened carrier with stirring for 2minutes. The mixture was then spread out on aluminum foil and allowed todry for 5 days at room temperature. The relative humidity of the air was22%. Samples of each of the six mixtures were then stored for 20 hoursinthe 5 0% relative humidity room to test'them for hygroscopicity.

Observations Y (1) At the end of the mixing period all of the. mixtures.

(3.) .After 5 days of air drying all the mixtures weredried to a crispytexture.

(4) After storing the mixtures in the 50% relative hu midity room for 20hours their relative hygroscopicities increased in the following order:

-(a) Soybean millfeed.

(b) Alfalfa meal.

(c) Sugar beet pulp.

(d) Wheat bran.

(e) Linseed oil meal.

(f) Reground oat millfeed.

From the foregoing it will be noted that the soybean millfeed consistingessentially of soybean hulls exhibits unique properties as a [carrtier]carrier in the formation of feed materials. The millfeed particlesabsorb hygroscopic substances of the character described into the bodythereof to a substantial extent. This absorption insulates the feedingredient from high humidity atmospheres and thus prevents caking orlumping of the impregnated carrier particles during subsequent storageor use. Moistening of the millfeed particles and/ or neutralization ofthe feed ingredient prior to the impregnation step hastens impregnationand further increases the extent of penetration of the hygroscopicsubstance. Use of an elevated temperature during or after admixing ofthe carrier and feed ingredient also increases the rate and extent ofpenetration. In this connection it has been found advantageous toutilize Water heated to about 90 C. in dampening or wetting the millfeedparticles.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the invention ashereinbelore set forth may be made Without departing from the spirit andscope thereof, and therefore only such limitations should be imposed asare indicated in the appended claims.

We claim:

El. A dried, free flowing feed material comprising soybean hullsimpregnated with a substantial quantity of highly hydrophyllic andhygroscopic feed ingredientsfl {2. A dried, free flowing feed productcomprising soybean hulls impregnated With a substantial quantity ofhighly hydrophyllic and hygroscopic non-drying feed ingrcdientsfl 3. Adried, free flowing feed product comprising soybean hulls impregnatedwith a substantial quantity of highly hydrophyllic and hygroscopicneutralized feed ingredients.

4. A dried, free flowing feed material comprising soybean hullsimpregnated with a substantial quantity of highly hydrophyllic andhygroscopic neutralized molasses.

5. A dried, free flowing feed material comprising soybean hullsimpregnated with a substantial quantity of highly hydrophyllic andhygroscopic neutralized corn steep liquor.

6. A dried, free flowing feed material comprising soybean hullsimpregnated with a substantial quantity of highly hydrophyllic andhygroscopic choline chloride.

7. A dried, free flowing feed product formed from discrete particles ofa soybean millfeed carrier impregnated with a substantial quantity ofhighly hydrophyilic and hygroscopic feed ingredients.

8. A dried, free flowing feed product formed from discrete particles ofa soybean millfeed carrier comprising soybean hulls impregnated with asubstantial quantity of neutralized highly hydrophyllic and hygroscopicnondrying feed ingredients.

9. A dried, free flowing feed product formed from dis crete particles ofa soybean millfeed carrier comprising soybean hulls impregnated with asubstantial quantity of neutralized highly hydrophyllic and hygroscopicfeed ingredients.

E10. The process of forming a dried, free flowing feed material whichcomprises, impregnating soybean millfeed formed primarily from soybeanhulls with a hydrophyllic and hygroscopic feed ingredient, and,thereafter, drying the same] 11. The process of forming a dried, freeflowing feed material which comprises, dampening soybean millfeed formedprimarily from soybean hulls, impregnating said millfecd with ahydrophyllic and hygroscopic feed ingredient, and, thereafter, dryingthe same.

12. The process of forming a dried, free flowing feed material whichcomprises, dampening soybean millfeed formed primarily from soybeanhulls, neutralizing a hydrophyllic and hygroscopic feed ingredient,impregnating said millfeed with said feed ingredient, and, thereafter,drying the same.

13. The process of forming a dried, free flowing feed product whichcomprises, dampening soybean millfeed formed primarily from soybeanhulls, impregnating said millteed with a hydrophyllic and hygroscopicfeed ingredient under elevated temperature conditions, and, thereafter,drying the same.

14. The process of forming a dried, free flowing feed product whichcomprises, dampening soybean millfeed formed primarily from soybeanhulls, neutralizing a hy drophyllic and hygroscopic feed ingredient,impregnating said millfeed with said food ingredient under elevatedtemperature conditions, and, thereafter, drying the same.

15. The process of forming a dried, free flowing feed product whichcomprises, dampening soybean millfeed formed primarily from soybeanhulls, neutralizing a hydrophyllic and hygroscopic feed ingredient witha calcium compound, impregnating said millfeed with said feed ingredientunder elevated temperature conditions, and, thereafter, drying the same.

16. The process of forming a dried, free flowing feed product whichcomprises, dampening soybean millfeed formed primarily from soybeanhulls by stirring the same with water for approximately 5 minutes,neutralizing a hydrophyllic and hygroscopic feed ingredient,impregnating said millfeed with said feed ingredient, and, thereafter,drying the same.

17. The process of forming a dried, free flowing feed product whichcomprises, dampening soybean millfced formed primarily from soybeanhulls by stirring the same with hot water for approximately 5 minutes,neutralizing a hydrophyllic and hygroscopic feed ingredient,impregnating said millfeed with said feed ingredient by stirring thecombined millfeed and feed ingredient for approximately 5 minutes, and,thereafter, drying the same.

18. The process of forming a dried, free flowing feed product whichcomprises, dampening soybean millfeed formed primarily from soybeanhulls by stirring the same with water for approximately 5 minutes,neutralizing a hydrophyllic and hygroscopic feed ingredient with acalcium compound, impregnating said millfeed with said feed ingredientby stirring the combined millfeed and ingredient for approximately 5minutes under elevated tem perature conditions, and, thereafter, dryingthe same.

19. A dried, free flowing feed product formed from one part by weight ofsoybean millfecd carrier impregnated with the solids residue of at leastabout two parts by weight of molasses, said molasses solids residuebeing substantially contained within said particles of soybean millfeedcarrier.

20. The process of forming a dried, free flowing feed material whichcomprises, impregnating a carrier composed essentially of soybeanmilljeed with molasses by mixing one part by weight of said millfeedwith at least about two parts by weight of said molasses in the presenceof added water to increase the penetration of the molasses and,thereafter, drying the same.

References Cited in the file of this patent or the original patentUNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 24,261 Martin Dec. 25, 1956 707,113 HughesAug. 19, 1902 946,642 Michaely Jan. 18, 1910 1,497,461 Oliver June 10,1924 2,053,871 Leonard Sept. 8, 1936 2,197,319 Sargent Apr. 16, 19402,377,360 Musher June 5, 1945 2,427,520 Briod Sept. 16, 1947 2,430,797Zenzes Nov. 11, 1947 2,904,435 Kruse Sept. 15, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS9,416 Great Britain 1906 OTHER REFERENCES Nalfinzer et al.: Agri. andFood Chemistry, September 16, 1953, pp. 847-851.

